An anti-bullying bill is picking up steam in the Arizona Legislature.
The measure would give students and their parents the right to sue if a bully seriously injures that student. Schools can also be held liable if they fail to deal with a prior bullying incident.
Senate Bill 1684's sponsor is Republican Sen. Shawnna Bolick.
"At the end of the day, if we can help make sure our kids are safe in school and we don’t have a lot of folks being bullied and potentially ending up harming themselves or unfortunately committing suicide, I think we’re moving in the right step," said Bolick.
Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union, say the legislation undermines best practices and schools would be forced to resort to dramatic punishments, including expulsions.
The bill passed the House Education Committee on Tuesday and now moves to the House floor.
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In an effort to remove financial barriers and expand access to mental health care, the University of Arizona says it will provide free counseling for its students beginning July 1. -
A student event featuring Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk that was planned at a Phoenix high school next week has been moved off campus. -
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, the widow of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is planning a visit in the Paradise Valley Unified School District next week. -
The Peoria Unified School District will cut all of its social workers at the end of this year, as funds from the state’s school safety grant program will run out. -
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter once said there are four kinds of people in the world: “those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers." But there might be a fifth: caregivers who help other caregivers.
